Security Portfolios Delay Cabinet Formation as Salam Seeks to Appease Rival Camps
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Last minute obstacles linked to two key security portfolios prevented the formation of the government on Thursday after the March 8 alliance expressed reservations on making the two of them as part of the share of the March 14 camp.
President Michel Suleiman and Premier-designate Tammam Salam were planning to issue the cabinet formation decrees on Thursday but the Hizbullah-led March 8 team insisted to stick to the threatened boycott of Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun.
Aoun has rejected the rotation of portfolios as part of a deal struck between the rival parties on the 24-member cabinet based on the 8-8-8 formula, hinting that he would pull his ministers out of it and drawing the support of his allies in the March 8 alliance.
The FPM chief has been holding onto the energy ministry which is currently led by his son-in-law Jebran Bassil.
The threat to withdraw from the cabinet was exacerbated by the reservations expressed by March 8 over a decision by Salam to grant both the interior and defense portfolios to March 14 in addition to a proposal to hand the interior ministry to retired Internal Security Forces chief Maj. Gen. Ashraf Rifi, who is a staunch supporter of al-Mustaqbal movement.
An Nahar daily on Friday quoted sources as saying that al-Mustaqbal movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri stuck to his demand for the interior ministry after the March 8 alliance “took advantage of the obstacle caused by Aoun” by sending signals that it would withdraw from the cabinet.
The sources told the newspaper that Hariri held onto giving the interior ministry to Rifi and the defense ministry to March 14 MP Butros Harb.
But the negotiations later led to a proposal by Salam to give the defense ministry to former minister Khalil Hrawi, who is a centrist from Suleiman's camp, and the interior ministry to al-Mustaqbal MP Nuhad al-Mashnouq or the former head of the Tripoli Bar Association, Rashid Derbas.
Al-Joumhouria newspaper said Marwan Zein was another candidate for the interior ministry.
Harb would, in his turn, be granted another portfolio as part of the eight-ministers share of the March 14 alliance, the sources said.
Such a proposal has appeased the March 8 alliance that both key security portfolios would not go to the rival March 14 camp, al-Joumhouria said. But it stressed that by late Thursday, March 14 had not yet approved the suggestion.
07 February 2014, 07:55
511
if this continues, it means iran has decided to back down on the international agreement, and hizbushaitan wants void and internal war.
07 February 2014, 08:18
58
In fact all what hezbos wanted is an all embrassing cabinet with march 14, providing that hezbos keep fighting takfiri in syrian, that they wont colaborate with STL, wont discuss divine armed arsenal, keep "good" ministeries (oil contract are about to be signed), and providing that march 14 wouldnot get inerior, defense... Ministeries, aka march 14 job would be to decorate this governement, and give political cover to a gov in wich part of the minister are publicly and proudly sending man to fight in syria...
07 February 2014, 11:58
123
lol geha what agreement? the one you invented? you're really a psychological case.
07 February 2014, 15:10
103
got to say it's an impressive plan, especially for geha...
1- make up an international agreement, never mind that nobody heard of it except yourself.
2- repeat it like a headless chicken for a few days (repetition makes truth, it's a "known fact")
3- when reality shows you that there was never such agreement, persist in your lie and move on to accusations that they didnt respect it.
it's beautiful because it relies on absolutely nothing! accusations built upon fantasy "agreements", which are built upon thin air...
07 February 2014, 15:36
47
ok, you made your point in one post above. More than this is pure propaganda. Spare us your nonsense
07 February 2014, 08:19
59
Bravo march 14 for beiing as good politician as usual, bravo aoun u strike again (after u forgot all the secular speaches made while in france, after forgeting syria accountability act, after forgetting 1559, now time to become as corrupted as the one u use to criticise (it would be nice to see how much bassilo bank account increased over the last few years, to compare that with mikati's account to see who did work more..)
And after all bravo hezbos for completly ruling the country....
I think I will go have some chupachups :)
07 February 2014, 08:45
511
@Jaafar: I urge you for the sake of humanity to stop insulting your fellow posters. This is a political site where we, the young generation, come to educate ourselves and to grow. It is hard sometimes to grasp the news when we are constantly bombarded by insults from the belt down.
07 February 2014, 08:55
59
But Mr. Flimflam you are the Best entertainment of all… and you have to admit "jaafar" fits you so well!
07 February 2014, 09:12
59
I supported his secular speech, u know i'm not the mouth peace of march 14, i do back up those guys now bc they represent (in my eyes wich can be wrong) the less harmfull choice for my country, when they will change their stance (like what hariri might be doing now) i wont support them anymore, just like i stopped supporting aoun...
Or u prefer that we back up polticians despite what position they chose to take?.. Sheeps ya3neh...
Flame i think u to should hv some chupachips...
07 February 2014, 08:36
57
I await the day when I will read ONE meaningful post, ONE counter argument, ONE credible or mature info from you,-_Flamethrower_- , but alas!
07 February 2014, 09:52
58
still obsessed with me! oh God! please check with a specialist(they are called psychiatrist).
I never said anything about when, or ultimatums! I only said that the cabinet was part of iran international agreement.
now seriously, I repeat: if it is not going to be formed, we are definitely going for a war (not just civil war) and that is because hizbushaitan wants to merge with alaouite region in their scheme to partitioning the region.
07 February 2014, 08:00
58
March 8 agrees to disagree. Lebanon the land of lost opportunities.
07 February 2014, 08:10
510
This is endless… they might as well declare the Lunatic Aoun President and officially surrender the country to the Iranian militia and their partner Assad.
07 February 2014, 08:11
57
It is a charade being played by the HA/FPM duo ....... good cop, bad cop scenario. When one seems to be reasonable (good cop role) the other plays the spoiler role (the bas cop). And then the good cop will declare solidarity with the bad cop as mandated by "the document of understanding signed by the two parties". As a last resort black-shirted men would appear to threaten civil peace. They mastered manipulation of the State and the Constitution so well.
07 February 2014, 08:13
36
All I can say is Poor Lebanon... Poor Lebanese
Our politicians are still acting up while the country is disintegrating
Bravo!!!
07 February 2014, 09:06
58
Finally Flimflam admits that the Aounist are filthy Assadist… Good Boy!
07 February 2014, 08:17
58
Wolfy… you are insane, are you looking to add another notch to your name?
07 February 2014, 08:57
57
@game: Never ever use any of my gems without my specific prior consent!
07 February 2014, 08:46
57
https://mobile.mmedia.me/lb/en/nowsyrialatestnews/534294-graphic-warning-further-evidence-of-assad-regimes-prison-executions
There you go FT and wolf this is an example of the democracy you are fighting for. After this is done to human beings do you think they will throw flowers at your dictator? HA is also responsible for assisting and backing this murderer.
07 February 2014, 09:47
58
With regards to accountable it all starts with the Hague amo, the hague that brought mass murderers to justice anywhere they were by the use of UN firepower when needed. Do you get the pretty picture im painting for you? Or do you need me to spoon feed you?
regarding atrocities there are videos, witnesses and undisputable facts documenting that. Ie pulling injured unarmed rebels from and ambulance and shooting them. Lowlife hypocrite terrorist organization.
07 February 2014, 08:56
510
FT rouh inti wu maalminak laabo idaim il beit. Your vilayat al faqih is not happening amo.
07 February 2014, 09:07
52
Naharnet moderator, please moderate the sectarian bigotry. Please. The tuenis may they rest in peace are rolling in their graves because of these daily unmoderated comments on Naharnet
07 February 2014, 09:24
58
HA the party that will eventually implode. HA accused of carrying out numerous assassinations against prominent Lebanese figures, HA the party that will be also accused of war crimes and atrocities in Syria, HA the party that has carried out numerous terrorist attacks worldwide. You know what I wouldnt trust your party as far as I can throw it. Its only a matter of time ya kufar, Lebanon will turn on you. Yalla start immigration procedures for Iran or Syria ( HA shiites only of course) as we know the majority of Shiites despise them.
07 February 2014, 09:51
57
Yes I go to same vet you and your whole slily go to. He wanted to put you down but he just couldnt do it because after all a vet needs to laugh.
07 February 2014, 09:56
58
Wolf aka Roar I can actually see you foaming at the mouth. Good you made my day, that was the whole point of "messing" with you. Now go call your shrink bawling your eyes out complaining of the mental abuse Cedars the second has been using on you and demanding I be tried at the Hague. :)
07 February 2014, 09:59
511
guys
just check only this page and please notice how many comments by the funny idiot ft there are :)
please keep entertaining us ft with your silly/stupid/funny comments that show what an idiot you are, just like those you follow.
each comment shows us the endless possibilities of stupidity, and each time we think you reached a new low, we find out you are going lower.
never seen before! keep it up :)
07 February 2014, 12:14
47
@Jaafar: You will always remain the beacon of truth and a role model on this forum.
07 February 2014, 10:00
85
no government for 10 month
if this shows it shows how big are the gaps in our constitution(taef) and need to be amended
07 February 2014, 13:36
54
Same lame drama, appease the mafia, but ignore the people, woul kheir la eddem.
